Jason Jackson talks about emotion of Super Regional round

Alabama nearly upset top-seeded Wake Forest during an exciting 5-4 Super Regional opener on Saturday. Despite a late Crimson Tide rally in the eighth, the Demon Deacons hung on to claim the series advantage heading into game two.

After the game, head coach Jason Jackson discussed how the high-running emotions from both sides played into the final outcome. To Jackson, it’s all mental for the Crimson Tide from here on out.

“We both play in a really tough league. Every Friday night there’s an emotional game,” Jackson said postgame. “Somebody wins and somebody loses, and the score is going to reset tomorrow. We say this a lot, no high highs, no low lows.

“Wake [Forest], they just won a really tight ballgame, they’re riding high but I think both teams will do a good job of coming out tomorrow and hitting that reset, getting back to neutral because the score starts over 0-0.”

The Demon Deacons broke onto the scoreboard early with a lead-off home run from center fielder Tommy Hawke. Second baseman Justin Johnson matched Hawke’s efforts in the next inning before scoring an unearned run on a wild pitch to put the Crimson Tide down three runs early.

Alabama quickly earned those three runs back, knocking in a solo shot and a two-run homer in the third and fourth innings, respectively. Wake Forest would jump back on top during the next inning and would not relinquish the lead from there.

Two insurance runs down the stretch would be too much for the Crimson Tide to overcome despite center fielder Caden Rose’s solo home run in the eighth inning.

Alabama’s pitching staff ended the afternoon giving up five runs on seven hits — including the three home runs — while striking out 10 batters. Luke Holman earned the start on the mound for Alabama, pitching 5.2 innings and striking out eight batters. He gave up six hits was responsible for allowing four earned runs. Aidan Moza relieved Holman in the sixth and despite pitching 2.1 innings of one-hit, scoreless baseball, the Crimson Tide was not able to overcome the runs that were already on the board.

First pitch for game two is set for Sunday at Noon ET as Wake Forest looks to advance to its first College World Series since 1955, the same year they won their first and only national championship. The elimination game will be broadcasted on ESPN and ESPN+.